USA TODAY Sports' expert picks for Final Four

North Carolina Tar Heels guard Marcus Paige (5) reacts after defeating the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the championship game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. North Carolina won 88-74.(Photo: Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports)

USA TODAY Sports' college basketball staffers made their Final Four picks, and the teams most expected to reach the championship on Monday are North Carolina (5-3 vote) and Villanova (5-3 vote). The favorite to win the title is North Carolina, just by a hair.

Here's a look at each writer's expectations for Houston:

Nicole Auerbach

► Semifinals: Villanova and North Carolina

► Final: North Carolina

► MOP: Brice Johnson

► Hot take: If Marcus Paige continues to shoot well from beyond the arc and Brice Johnson continues to dominate the paint, no one can stop the Tar Heels.

Nancy Armour

► Semifinals: Oklahoma and Syracuse

► Final: Oklahoma

► MOP: Buddy Hield

► Hot take: Rather than falter under the increasing pressure and microscope, Buddy Hield and Oklahoma have played better and better as the tournament has gone on. The way Hield has played, I just don’t see any of the teams left being able to contain him – at least, not enough to knock Oklahoma out.

Gerry Ahern

► Semifinals: Villanova and North Carolina

► Final: Villanova

► MOP: Kris Jenkins

► Hot take: Ryan Arcidiacono’s court savvy and Kris Jenkins' long distance prowess will be the difference in the title game. The Wildcats will separate from the Tar Heels by cooly knocking down free throws down the stretch.

Josh Peter

Chris Korman

► Semifinals: Oklahoma and North Carolina.

► Final: North Carolina

► MOP: Brice Johnson

► Hot take: The Tar Heels haven’t lost since Feb. 27, and have won nine in a row by an average of almost 14 points per game. North Carolina’s offense appears unstoppable; the only weak point has been 3-point shooting, and the Tar Heels hit 15 of 33 from deep last weekend.

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North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Roy Williams celebrates with his team after defeating Notre Dame Fighting Irish in the championship game in the East regional of the NCAA Tournament at Wells Fargo Center. Carolina won 88-74. Bob Donnan, USA TODAY Sports

Oklahoma Sooners guard Buddy Hield (24) celebrates the 80-68 victory against Oregon Ducks winning the West regional final of the NCAA tournament at Honda Center on March 26. Robert Hanashiro, USA TODAY Sports